VBS Music Magnified!  

VBS tunes hold a sweet spot in hearts, homes, and cars everywhere. Parents and kids can’t wait to get their hands on the newest CD, download the playlist, and belt out the songs as they roll down the highway, wait in carpool, or at a family jam session.  

Often churches play VBS songs from years past on repeat throughout the week, and it’s fun to see kids, youth, and volunteers remembering all the motions from summers gone by. VBS has a way of connecting God’s truth to kids’ hearts and minds. We have heard stories of VBS music comforting on difficult days and bringing joy-filled worship throughout the year. 

To celebrate the incredible impact of VBS music, we reached out to the artists to talk about the writing and behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating music that sticks and impacts kids and families year after year. 

Enjoy this conversation and get ready for another catchy, truth-filled playlist coming for Magnified! VBS. 

Question: 

What are the challenges of writing songs for VBS?   

One of the biggest challenges we have is taking an exact theme and creating a very catchy and powerful theme song. We have a strong desire to convey it in a way that is succinct and memorable while still creating a melodic and catchy way of incorporating all the elements and verbatim Scripture for the week. It’s very important for us to make a song feel as natural as possible and yet get the message across that will stick in the kid’s hearts and minds. For each separate day, we want to make sure we are able to get not only a very catchy and energetic song, but also a stirring song, and getting as much of the Scripture and daily content, without making it feel like it’s forced, but melodic, creating a moment that after hearing it once you can already sing along. -Paul 

Question: 

Do you naturally have a favorite song from each year?  

There are usually elements of all the songs that I like. Every year I usually have one or two that hit me. Breaker Rock Beach was “Truth Comes from God” and “Even Better.” Both of those songs not only have a very singable and catchy melody, but lyrically convey such a strong and needed message. For the new 2025 theme, “Magnified!” I am really excited about “I Believe Jesus Saves.” It really touches on the simple message of how much God loves us and that He saves us. I love the way we were able to get the entire Scripture verbatim in a melody that conveys that message along with the chorus that has an honest and endearing melody and message about our need for Him and our belief in His love, grace, and forgiveness. -Paul 

Yes, I always have a favorite or two from each year! There have been so many fun songs through the years that I have enjoyed so much! A few of my favorites would probably be “Bubblin’ Up” from Submerged- I love the lyrics and when it builds to “I can’t keep it in, I can’t keep it in, I just want to shout about the joy I have in Him!” Other favorites are “Sin Messed Everything Up” from Galactic Starveyors and “Christmas Song in Summer” from Destination Dig. I can’t leave out “Truth Comes from God” from Breaker Rock Beach! All the songs have such great truths that are so fun put to music!  I always like the slow songs and love to see the kids worshipping the Lord. My current favorite would probably be “I Believe That Jesus Saves” from Magnified! -Sandy 

Question: 

 What part of the process is the most FUN?  

The most fun is when we sit down with the VBS team, and they give us the theme for the first time. Our minds start racing with ideas and we begin writing them down as fast as we can, so we don’t forget that first impression. Then, thinking about those ideas, we start to come up with the style of music that might go best with the theme. We talk through what kind of instrumentation and arrangements would really make the theme come alive. It’s always an exciting and humbling moment when we complete the writing of the songs and realize how many lives they will reach.  

-Paul 

My goal in creating choreography for the songs is to have fun, simple and creative moves that younger ages can follow but also motions that the older kids will enjoy. When there are songs that are a bit longer, with two different verses, I try hard to create a pattern with the movements that is the same for both verses but small changes to fit the lyrics of each verse. For Magnified, most of the songs have one verse and repeat the chorus several times. The repetition makes the songs easier to learn and the songs are super fun! My main goal is that the kids have fun and focus on the message of Christ that is in the songs! -Sandy 

Question: 

What is your goal in creating the choreography for the motions? 

There are many parts of the process of creating movements that are fun to me! I love to sit outside and listen to the songs over and over and pray and then start creating! I usually have several versions of choreography for most of the songs. Then the next part of the process is also one of my favorites! I meet with some of the VBS team to go over the movements. My ideas are shared, and they pick what they think would be best and offer any ideas. I love seeing it all come together! -Sandy 

Question: 

Any tips on what to look for in Worship Rally volunteers? 

When looking for Worship Rally volunteers I love to find any age adults and teens that can lead with enthusiasm and energy and just have a blast! I am a mother of three boys, and they all have helped lead kids in worship and motions and their enthusiasm was contagious! -Sandy 

Meet a VBS music creator and choreographer: 

As a songwriter, Paul Marino has penned many chart-topping hits, including 16 top ten national radio singles. Paul has been a songwriter for Lifeway since 2004 and has been writing and producing Lifeway’s VBS music since 2012. He was named Lifeway songwriter of the year multiple times. Paul was one of the main producers and arrangers for The Lifeway Worship Hymnal Project for lifewayworship.com. and you can find many of his songs on various Lifeway projects.  

Paul is currently the worship leader at Pleasant Heights Baptist Church in Columbia, Tennessee where he lives with his wife, Karolyn.